Robert Vadra's interim protection from arrest in money laundering case extended to March 2

Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday appeared before Delhi's Patiala House Court for a scheduled hearing in connection with a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court has extended his interim protection from arrest to March 2. During the hearing, the counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that Vadra was not cooperating in the case, an allegation which has been denied by the businessman. The investigation agency also said Vadra is always accompanied by a "baraat" wherever he goes, whether to ED or to Court.' Vadra's interim bail was scheduled to end on Saturday.

"Interim bail of Robert Vadra and Manoj Arora, in connection with a money laundering case, have been extended till 2 March by Delhi's Patiala House Court," the news agency ANI reported.

Interim bail of Robert Vadra and Manoj Arora, in connection with a money laundering case, have been extended till 2 March by Delhi's Patiala House Court. pic.twitter.com/MGR8vp7nfZ

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019

The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property, located at 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra.

Vadra had on February 1 moved to Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Earlier, a lawyer from the prosecution team confirmed that Vadra has sought anticipatory bail in the case in which his close aide Manoj Arora was granted interim protection from arrest till February 6 by the court.

Arora, an employee of Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP, was a key person in the case and he was aware of the latter's overseas undeclared assets and was instrumental in arranging funds, ED had alleged.